Disabled Persons Action Organization (DPAO) was
started in 1974 and fully incorporated in 1976.Joseph L. Rich, an
anchor for WWNY Radio and TV at that time, began
the not-for-profit organization part time from
his home.DPAO
is a non-profit, tax-exempt organization whose
mission is to provide quality and effective
individualized services for developmentally disabled children and adults in
Jefferson and
LewisCounties.The services are
primarily geared toward helping families cope with
the stress of caring for their disabled loved
ones. DPAO currently services over 500
children, adults, and their families and is the
primary provider of overnight and hourly respite
services in the region, offering the services to
families with developmentally disabled
individuals residing at home.

Mr.
Rich started doing concerts as a volunteer to
raise funds to meet the needs of individuals
with developmental disabilities and their
families since there was no state funding for
that purpose. A Summer Concert Series was
soon established. However, not long after
the Summer Concert Series began, the state
decided that it would match whatever DPAO could fundraise to help
these families.Because of the
tremendous needs of the families, the State
Office of Mental Retardation (now known as the
Office for People with Developmental
Disabilities) agreed to fully
fund these programs and services but only for a
specific number of individuals.Fundraising from
the concerts paid for any additional needs.While funding has
improved greatly over the years, the shows have
continued helping to supplement the
special needs of those we serve as well as
provide other assistance to our agency in
maintaining a safe and healthy environment for
those we serve. The concerts are also a
wonderful addition to the quality of life in our
region. Every year the concerts result in
an economic boom to Northern New York and
surrounding areas of over one million dollars.

DPAO has seen tremendous
growth throughout the last four decades and
currently employs over 150 full and part time
employees serving both Jefferson and Lewis
Counties

.

Volunteers
are utilized for many of our programs, in
addition to assisting with our fundraising
events.